Lionel Messi Sets Phenomenal New Record, Stealing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Limelight

Lionel Messi set a new record after scoring in Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 victory over Montpellier on Wednesday. With this victory, PSG have affirmed their position atop Ligue 1, five points clear of second-placed Marseille. Messi, who was criticized for failing to show his usual class in the previous league match against Reims at home, gave a revitalised performance against Montpellier and helped his side seal the contest. He found the net in the 72nd minute of the game to surpass his close rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s unique record.

Record Breaker: Lionel Messi Steals Cristiano Ronaldo’s Limelight

Messi Top European Goalscorer Across Five Best Leagues

Cristiano Ronaldo held the top scorer record in the top five leagues in Europe with 696 goals in 918 games before yesterday. Lionel Messi has set a new record after reaching his 697th goal in 835 matches, and he reached the milestone in 83 fewer games than Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese sensation, though, has 701 club goals to his name in 951 appearances in Europe’s top flight. What is crucial to understand here is that the Primeira Liga is not counted as part of these top five European Leagues.

Instead the English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and French Ligue 1 make up the top five European leagues. Here is the breakdown of all goals scored at the top by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For Ronaldo’s stats his time at Sporting CP has been included to illustrate that he is still a leading top scorer.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Goal-scoring Record in Europe

Ronaldo has found success at many top European clubs. His goalscoring record is phenomenal and he has already booked his place in the annals of football history.

Unlike Messi, Ronaldo has played two stints in the Premier League, which lends some Messi doubters their strongest argument about who is the better player.

Both players do have truly prolific goalscoring records, both for top clubs in major leagues.

Lionel Messi’s Goal-scoring Record in Europe

Lionel Messi is also on the verge of breaking another of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record, as he is only five goals shy of becoming the highest scorer in European club football. The Argentine captain is expected to reach this unique milestone this season, just five goals off 800 total career goals.

After finally winning the World Cup, Messi is still breaking records and is on track to win more trophies and accolades. Let’s hope he has enough room on his mantelpiece!

Read More: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Has Been So Successful for Two Decades